ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Smt Harsimrat Badal appeals to food processing companies to contribute to Kerala flood hit relief efforts
Union Food Processing Industries Minister Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal today appealed to all food processing industries to come to the aid of the flood ravaged people of Kerala by generously donating processed food products for this noble cause.
In a statement here, Mrs Badal said the flood affected people of Kerala, thousands of whom were rendered homeless, needed processed food goods urgently. She said the food processing ministry had nominated two officers to coordinate this effort and that the industries could contact them to make desired donations.-
- Joint Secretary Sh Parag Gupta  and
- Deputy Sectetary Sh Atyanand 
Smt Badal said three lakh biscuit packets had already been delivered to the Kerala government by ITC and Britannia after a request made by her. She said the packets were delivered to officials at Trivandrum. Kochi and Malapuram for further distribution to the affected people of the state. “We will make efforts to ensure more donation coming to us following this fresh appeal is despatched to Kerala at the earliest”, she added.
Ministry of Finance
Budgetary support to Defence sector to remain government’s priority
Two Defence industrial production corridors to be developed
Government to bring out industry friendly Defence production policy 2018
Ensuring adequate budgetary support to the Defence Sector will be the priority of the Government. Presenting the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament today, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitely said that a lot of emphasis has been given to modernizing and enhancing the operational capability of the Defence Forces over the last three and a half years. The Finance Minister appreciated the stellar role played by the Armed Forces in meeting the challenges on the country’s borders as well as in managing the internal security environment both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.
A number of initiatives have been taken to develop and nurture intrinsic defence production capability to make the Nation self-reliant for meeting our defence needs, the Finance Minister explained.
Shri Arun Jaitely said that private investment in defence production has been opened up including liberalizing foreign direct investment. The Government will take measures to develop two defence industrial production corridors in the country. The Government will also bring out an industry friendly Defence Production Policy 2018 to promote domestic production by public sector, private sector and MSMEs, he said.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Interacts with Indian Community in Japan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed and interacted with over 700 members of Indian diaspora in Japan on 23 May 2022.
Before the event, Prime Minister met with Japanese indologists, sportspersons, and cultural artistes who are contributing to promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between India and Japan. Prime Minister also met Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees in Japan. Indian diaspora in Japan is over 40,000.
Prime Minister appreciated the Indian Community members for their skills, talent and entrepreneurship and their connect with the motherland. Invoking Swami Vivekananda and Rabindra Nath Tagore, Prime Minister underlined the deep cultural ties that exists between India and Japan. He also highlighted the various socio-economic developments and reform initiatives in India in recent years, particularly in the domains of infrastructure, governance, green growth, digital revolution. He invited the Indian Community to join and take forward the campaign of ‘Bharat Chalo, Bharat se Judo’.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Cabinet approves big increase in the authorized capital of Food Corporation of India from Rs. 3,500 crore to Rs.10,000 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to increase the authorized capital of Food Corporation of India  from existing Rs.3,500 crore to Rs.10,000 crore.
With the increase of authorized capital, additional equity capital can be infused in FCI through Union Budget, to fund the foodgrains stock, perpetually held by FCI. This will reduce the borrowings of FCI, save interest cost of FCI and reduce food subsidy in consequence.
Background:
The operations of Food Corporation of India require maintaining perpetual stock of foodgrains which needs to be funded by the Govt. of India through equity or long term loan. The Govt. of India is providing equity to FCI for maintaining stocks. The present authorized equity capital of FCI is Rs.3,500 crore and paid up equity capital as on 31.03.2019 is Rs.3,447.58 crore.
Food Corporation of India was constituted under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, to implement the food policy of Government of India. Its primary objective is to ensure Minimum Support Price to farmers, maintain buffer stock of foodgrains and distribution of foodgrains under National Food Security Act and other welfare schemes of Govt. of India.
Prime Minister's Office
Visit of the Prime Minister of Denmark to India for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2019
The Prime Minister of Denmark, H.E. Mr Lars Løkke Rasmussen, is visiting India on 18-19 January, 2019 for "Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2019” where Denmark is participating as a Partner Country. Prime Minister Rasmussen is accompanied by a business delegation including CEOs of major Danish companies.
(Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Rasmussen held bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar on 18 January 2019. The two Prime Ministers had earlier met during the first India- Nordic summit in Stockholm in April 2018.
In the meeting, the two leaders deliberated upon various areas of bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on multilateral issues of mutual interest. They underscored the huge potential for expanding bilateral trade and investments between the two countries.
Denmark is a global leader in several niche technologies which are of relevance to India. Mentioning that Denmark has skills, India has scale and world has the need for new technologies, PM Modi encouraged India and Denmark to establish a research platform where solutions could be found to global issues of concern such as food security, water management, climate change and sustainable development.
During the meeting, two MOUs were exchanged- MoU on Maritime Issues between the Ministry of Shipping of India and the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs of Denmark and MoU between Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited and the Danish Embassy in New Delhi to establish an Urban Living Lab in Panaji, Goa.
Around 130 Danish companies have invested in India in areas such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture and food processing and are keen to expand their engagements in other sectors like smart urban development and waste-to-energy. Several major Danish companies are also present in Gujarat in shipping and renewable energy sectors.
During the visit, Prime Minister Rasmussen will inaugurate the Danish Cultural Institute and the new building of Danish Embassy in New Delhi on 19 January 2019. He will also visit Agra.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Implementation of National SC/ST hub
The National SC/ST Hub  is being implemented through National Small Industries Corporation Limited  a PSU under this Ministry to provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfill the obligations under the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises, adopt applicable business practices and leverage the Stand up India initiative with an objective to promote “enterprise culture” amongst the SC/ST Population. A number of initiatives have been taken under the Hub which include Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme , Special Marketing Assistance Scheme, Single Point Registration Scheme, capacity building programmes, reimbursement of Bank Guarantee charges, Bank Loan processing charges, Testing Charges/fee of various NABL accredited laboratories etc. Further, to provide mentoring and handholding support to SC/ST entrepreneurs 15 National SC-ST Hub Offices  have been set up across the country. These NSSHOs are offering technical support to SC-ST MSEs on bid participation, finance facilitation, participation in special vendor development programmes, CPSE connects, e-tender trainings, GeM, Udyam registration, etc.
The details of fund allocated and released under National SC/ST Hub during last three years are as under:

|
|
Year
|
|
Fund allocation
|
|
Total fund released
|
|
Fund released for NER
|
|
BE
|
|
RE
|
|
2018-19
|
|
93.96
|
|
78.30
|
|
77.78
|
|
5.01
|
|
2019-20
|
|
121.69
|
|
80.00
|
|
79.65
|
|
10.00
|
|
2020-21
|
|
150.00
|
|
120.00
|
|
120.00
|
|
0.05
Under the capacity building programme of NSSH, 26,360 SC/ST candidates have been trained in various areas in the country. The scheme has been effective to address the issues of the SC/ST entrepreneurs and has enhanced their participation in the public procurement process. The procurement from SC-ST MSEs has increased significantly since implementation of NSSH. The procurements from MSEs owned by the SC/STs is monitored through MSME SAMBANDH portal . The details of procurement made by the CPSEs from SC/ST MSEs during last four years and current year are as under

|
|
Year
|
|
Procurement SC/ST MSEs
|
|
2017-18
|
|
544.45
|
|
2018-19
|
|
824.71
|
|
2019-20
|
|
692.88
|
|
2020-21
|
|
753.97
|
|
2021-22|
|
123.64As on 28.07.2021
This information was given by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the passing away of Professor Govind Swarup
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of Professor Govind Swarup.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Professor Govind Swarup was an exceptional scientist. His pioneering works in radio astronomy have attained global commendation. Anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his near and dear ones. "
Prime Minister's Office
PM-Awas Yojana has benefitted the people of Uttar Pradesh under Modi Govt
The Prime Minister has said that PM AwasYojna has moved rapidly under the present Government and has helped the poorest of the poor in Uttar Pradesh. He was speaking after releasing financial assistance to over 6 lakh beneficiaries in UP under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin, through video conference today.
The Prime Minister asserted that Aatmnirbhar Bharat is directly linked to the self-confidence of the country’s citizens and a house of one’s own enhances this self-confidence manifold. A self-owned house brings assurance in life and also the hope of coming out of poverty.
The Prime Minister recalled that during the time of previous governments, the poor did not have the confidence that the government could be of any help in getting their house constructed. He also said that the quality of the houses made in the earlier scheme was also not up to the mark. The poor had to face the brunt of wrong policies, said the Prime Minister. Keeping in Mind this plight, PM AwasYojna was started with an aim to provide every poor family a house before completion of 75 years of independence. 2 crore housing units have been constructed in rural areas during recent years, PM AwasYojna has accounted for 1.25 crore units with central government’s contribution being about 1.5 lakh crore rupees.
The Prime Minister also recalled the lack of response from the previous governments in the state. He informed that in Uttar Pradesh 22 lakh Garmin Awas are to be constructed out of which 21.5 lakh have been approved for construction. 14.5 lakh families have already got their house mostly, under the present government.
UPSC
Shri Rajiv Nayan Choubey takes Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC
Shri Rajiv Nayan Choubey, took the Oath of office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission today. The oath was administered by Shri Arvind Saxena, Chairman, UPSC.
An officer of the 1981 batch of Indian Administrative Service of Tamil Nadu Cadre, Shri Choubey during his career spanning over more than 35 years, has held several important positions in the Central Government as well as in the Government of Tamil Nadu. He served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Development Commissioner  in the Ministry of Textiles, Director General in the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Special Secretary, Ministry of Power and prior to his joining the Commission, he was serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, In the State also, he held various important positions in the Revenue, Rural Development, Transport, Finance, Industries, Telecommunications and Personnel & General Administration Department.
Ministry of Defence
1st conference of Military Medicine for SCO Member States to be held in New Delhi on 12 – 13 September, 2019
The first conference of Military Medicine for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation  Member States will be held here on 12 – 13 September, 2019. The conference will be the first Military co-operation event hosted by India,under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020, after it became a SCO Member State in 2017.
The conference will be conducted by the Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff , with the aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build capacities and overcome common challenges.During the conference, the Indian Armed Forces will also demonstrate the Rapid Action Medical Team and organise a visit for the delegates to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.
Deliberations will take place between military medicine experts of SCO Member States on rendering of combat medical support,humanitarian assistance during disasters and measures to improve patient safety. The SCO Member States will be represented by senior military medical practitioners. Dialogue Partners Nepal and Sri Lanka will also be sending their delegations to participate in the Conference.
The conferencewill be preceded by a meeting of the Heads of Delegations to discuss areas of co-operation in the field of military medicine between SCO Member States.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
USE OF VEHICLES WITH BIOFUELS
The Union Cabinet has approved on 15th September, 2021, a Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry with a total outlay of Rs. 25,938 Crore over a period of 5 years.
The following auto components of Flex Fuel Engine [capable of running upto Ethanol 85 Fuel)] have been included in the list of Advanced Automotive Technology components as eligible products for incentivisation under this scheme:-
i.BS6 compliant Flex Fuel Engine capable of running upto Ethanol
85% fuel
ii. Heated Fuel Rail for Flex Fuel Engine
- Heating Element for Flex Fuel Engine
- Heating Control Unit for Flex Fuel Engine
- Electronic Control Unit  for Flex Fuel Engine ; and
- Ethanol Sensor for Flex Fuel Engine.
This step by the Ministry of Heavy Industries is to encourage auto OEMs  to accelerate introduction of Flex Fuel vehicles in India.
 The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways , vide letter No RW/NH-33044/18/2020-S&R dated 14th December, 2020, has issued guidelines to simplify the process and encourage usage of new/innovative/alternative materials & techniques. MoRTH has been promoting use of new/innovative materials, construction techniques etc. to reduce consumption of cement & steel in road construction.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
MJPS
(Visitor Counter : 1115
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘7.32% Government Stock 2024’, Auction for Sale  of ‘7.57% Government Stock 2033’,Auction for Sale  of ‘7.69% Government Stock 2043’, and Auction for Sale  of ‘7.72% Government Stock 2049’
Government of India has announced the Sale  of  ‘7.32 per cent Government Stock, 2024’ for a notified amount of `5,000 crore  through price based auction,‘7.57 per cent Government Stock, 2033’ for a notified amount of `6,000 crore  through price based auction, ‘7.69 per cent Government Stock, 2043’ for a notified amount of `2,000 crore  through price based auction,and
 ‘7.72 per cent Government Stock, 2049’ for a notified amount of `4,000 crore  through price based auction.Subject to the limit of `17,000 crore, being total notified amount, GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to
`1,000 croreeach against anyone or more of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted using multiple price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on August30, 2019.
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stockswill be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on August 30, 2019. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30 a.m. and 12.00 noonand the competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30a.m.and
12.30 p.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on August 30, 2019 and payment by successful bidders will be on September 03, 2019.
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
RM/KN
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Govt. Issues strict direction to deal with fugitive economic offenders
The Government issued directions to deal with wilful bank loan defaulters or fugitive economic offenders. For this a Look Out Circular can be opened by the Bureau of Immigration in respect of Indian citizens and foreigners on the request of an authorized originator, which includes an officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India; or an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the State Government; or District Magistrates; or Superintendents of Police; or designated officers of various law enforcing and security agencies; or designated officer of Interpol; or Chairman/Managing Director/Chief Executive of all Public Sector Banks; or as per directions of any Criminal Court in India. The Immigration Authorities can detain as well as prevent any person, including a willful defaulter, from leaving India against whom LOC has been issued. Bureau of Immigration has opened 83 LoCs till now at the behest of banks.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 has been enacted for effective action against economic offenders fleeing Indian jurisdiction. It provides for attachment and confiscation of property of fugitive economic offenders and disentitles them from defending any civil claim. Further, Government has advised Public Sector Banks to obtain certified copy of the passport of promoters/directors and other authorised signatories of companies availing of loan facilities of more than Rs.50 crore.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Rotary International World Convention
“Rotarians are a true mix of success and service”
“We are the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi who showed in action what living for others is all about”
“Inspired by our centuries old ethos of staying in harmony with nature, the 1.4 billion Indians are making every possible effort to make our earth cleaner and greener”
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Rotary International World Convention via a video message today. Calling the Rotarians a ‘true mix of success and service’, the Prime Minister said that “every Rotary gathering of this scale is like a mini-global assembly. There is diversity and vibrancy. “
Noting the two Mottos of Rotary ‘Service Above Self’ and ‘One Profits Most Who Serves Best’ the Prime Minister said that these are important principles for the welfare of the entire humankind and resonate with the teachings of our saints and sages. “We are the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi who showed in action what living for others is all about”, he added.
Quoting Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister said “We all exist in an interdependent, inter-related and inter-connected world. That is why, it is important that individuals, organisations and governments work together to make our planet more prosperous and sustainable.” He praised Rotary International for work hard on several causes that have a positive impact on the earth.
India, he said, is leading in efforts for environmental protection. “Sustainable development is the need of the hour. Inspired by our centuries old ethos of staying in harmony with nature, the 1.4 billion Indians are making every possible effort to make our earth cleaner and greener” said the Prime Minister. He also listed India’s initiatives like International Solar Alliance, ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’, and LIFE - Lifestyle for Environment. He also informed that India's commitments on Net Zero by 2070 were also appreciated by the world community.
Appreciating Rotary International’s work on providing clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, the Prime Minister talked about the gains of Swachh Bharat Mission such as near total sanitation coverage in five years. He also talked about movements like water conservation and Aatmnirbhar Bharat that have taken shape due to new awareness and realities. He also talked about the vibrant startup sector in India.
He said as India is home to one seventh of humanity, at such a scale, any achievement of India will have a positive impact on the world. He cited Covid-19 vaccine story and efforts to achieve elimination of TB by 2025, 5 years before the global target of 2030, as an examples.
Shri Modi invited the Rotary family to support these efforts at the grassroots. And also asked them to observe Yoga Day all over the world in large numbers.